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Open Process Automation Offers Business Benefits
The Open Process Automation Standard (O-PAS) Business Guide makes the business case for the O-PAS. An example from the biopharmaceutical industry illustrates the benefits of interoperability and open process automation architecture Normally, technical standards focus purely on technology. However, while…
Facts At Your Fingertips: Control-Valve Emissions and Packing
Fugitive emissions — defined as unintended releases of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from process equipment to the atmosphere — have been a long-standing issue in the chemical process industries (CPI). Valves and pumps are two of the leading sources. With…
Filtration Considerations for CPI Facilities
Numerous factors are taken into account when designing a filtration system, including technical, logistical and safety considerations Filtration is an essential step in the production and processing of many materials in the chemical process industries (CPI). Beyond the efficacy of…
Avoiding Mistakes When Emptying Spill Pallets
Following these guidelines can help workers to take the proper precautions to minimize the risk of leakage from spill pallets Container liquid leaks can occur at any time, even when all precautions have been taken and containers are stored on…
The Selection and Design of Fixed-Bed, Axial-Flow Vessel Internals
Follow these key considerations when deciding which internals to use in fixed-bed, axial-flow vessels Fixed-bed, axial-flow vessel internals are installed in natural gas plants, petroleum refineries, petrochemical plants, chemical plants and industrial gas facilities. Thermal-swing gas and liquid dehydrators, treaters…
PVDF Bubble Caps for Distillation Columns
Polymer components in column trays can avoid issues associated with corrosion of metal equipment Gujarat Alkalies & Chemicals Ltd. (GACL) — a major chemical producer in Gujarat state in western India — was facing corrosion challenges with its distillation columns.…
Show Preview: Connected Plant Conference
The seventh annual Connected Plant Conference (www.connectedplantconference.com) — presented by Chemical Engineering and sister publication POWER Magazine — is taking place at the Marriott Canal Street in New Orleans, La. on Jun 25–28. The event will bring together industry experts…
Automatically feed multiple ingredients to one location
Batch-weigh systems from this company can be configured to automatically transfer, weigh and dispense multiple materials fed from multiple locations to a common discharge location (photo). Integrating proprietary weighing technology, a programmable logic controller (PLC) and load cells with the…
A new two-channel AI/OI intrinsic-safety barrier
The new KCD2-SCS-EX2 (photo) is a two-channel, dual-function analog input (AI)/analog output (AO) intrinsic-safety barrier in a compact 12.5-mm housing. The two channels of the KCD2-SCS Series interface modules can be configured individually for analog input or analog output control…
Global and U.S. chemical production trended higher in April, ACC says
Marking another month of incremental gains, global and U.S. chemical production rose in April. According to the American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com), the Global Chemical Production Regional Index (Global CPRI) rose by 0.4% in April following a revised…